Catholic Answers Live

Is it a sin to change your surname? Can Mary hear our silent prayers? In this episode, we explore unique and thought-provoking questions about Catholic belief and morality. Learn the difference between the minimal and maximal facts approaches to defending the Resurrection of Jesus, and discover the Church’s perspective on “reality shifting”—a concept involving altered states of consciousness. We also address whether it’s morally acceptable to own and use firearms, especially in cases of self-defense. Finally, we examine Genesis 1:30 and whether it truly suggests that all animals were originally vegetarian. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 11:42 – Which is more effective in defending the Resurrection of Jesus: the minimal facts approach or the maximal facts approach? 19:14 – What is the Catholic perspective on the morality of “reality shifting,” or shifting consciousness to an alternate version of reality? 29:00 – How should someone discern whether changing their surname dishonors their father, and whether they should change it back out of respect? 40:35 – Is it morally acceptable to own and use guns, particularly for self-defense and situations involving lethal force? 46:12 – Can Mary hear our silent prayers and thoughts, such as when praying the Rosary silently rather than aloud? 50:20 – Does Genesis 1:30 support the claim that all animals were originally vegetarian, as some fundamentalists suggest?

Can Catholics name their Guardian Angels? Will receiving both the Body and Blood of Christ return as a regular practice? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, we dive into intriguing theological and scriptural questions. Learn the difference between hermeneutics and exegesis, the Church’s view on the gift of tongues, and whether drone technology could ever be used to deliver the Eucharist. We also explore Jesus’ question to Peter—“Do you love me more than these?”—and what it reveals about love and leadership among the apostles. Finally, we address the idea that the elect are always a remnant and what that means for salvation. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 04:30 – Can the faithful receive both the Body and Blood of Christ at Communion? Will this practice return universally? 06:03 – How should Catholics respond to the idea that the elect are always a remnant, implying only a small portion of humanity—including Christians—are saved? 14:51 – What is the difference between the terms hermeneutics and exegesis in biblical interpretation? 17:40 – Could drone technology ever be used to deliver the Eucharist to those unable to attend Mass? 31:55 – What is the Catholic position on the gift of tongues? Must it involve unintelligible sounds, real languages, or can there be differing views? 43:42 – Are Catholics permitted to name their Guardian Angels? 49:15 – Why did Jesus ask Peter if he loved Him more than the others? What is the meaning behind that specific comparison?

Can a pope change infallible doctrine? What does the Church teach about receiving the entire Trinity in Holy Communion? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, we explore key theological topics and respond to common questions about the Catholic faith. Learn how to respond to Calvinist interpretations of key Scripture passages, understand why the Eucharist is more than just Christ’s flesh and blood, and dive into the origins of the doctrine of receiving Christ’s body, blood, soul, and divinity. We also examine why the Catholic Church typically uses pouring rather than full immersion for Baptism. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 03:52 – How can Catholic theology respond to Calvinist interpretations of Matthew 1:21, Philippians 1:6, or 1 Peter 3:18? 09:00 – Does receiving Holy Communion also mean receiving the Holy Spirit and God the Father, based on the doctrine of the Trinity? 30:04 – What prevents a pope from changing infallible Catholic doctrine? 42:51 – What is the origin of the teaching that the Eucharist is the reception of Christ’s body, blood, soul, and divinity—not just His flesh and blood? 50:12 – Why doesn’t the Catholic Church practice full immersion Baptism as the normative form?  

Is the Eucharist cannibalism? Why is the Precious Blood sometimes withheld from the laity? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, we respond to common misunderstandings and explore the deep theology behind Catholic beliefs. Learn how to explain the Eucharist to skeptics, understand the Church’s teaching on the Sacrifice of the Mass despite Christ’s once-for-all death, and explore the scriptural, theological, and historical support for the Assumption of Mary. We also tackle the question of whether God calls all Christians to become Catholic. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 20:50 – How can the Catholic teaching on the Eucharist be explained to clarify that it is not cannibalism? 29:33 – What are the theological and historical arguments for the bodily Assumption of Mary? 36:17 – If Jesus died once for all sin, why does the Church continue to offer the Sacrifice of the Mass? 45:03 – Is God calling all Christians to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church? 49:05 – Why is the Precious Blood of Christ sometimes withheld from the laity during Communion?

How can Catholics respond to Sedevacantist claims and Jehovah’s Witness interpretations of Scripture? Why does the Bishop of Rome hold primacy over the Bishop of Antioch? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, we tackle these challenging apologetics questions, explore how to clearly defend the Catholic doctrine of the Trinity, and offer strategies for helping LGBT youth remain connected to the Church. We also discuss the spiritual significance of choosing a saint’s name at Confirmation and how to distinguish authentic Magisterial teaching from personal theological opinion. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:21 – How should one approach an apologetic conversation with someone who holds a Sedevacantist position? 08:24 – Why doesn’t the Bishop of Antioch hold the same authority as the Bishop of Rome? 15:39 – How can the Catholic interpretation of Ecclesiastes 9:5 be explained in response to Jehovah’s Witnesses? 24:19 – How can the Catholic doctrine of the Trinity be clearly defended? 42:53 – What can be done to help prevent LGBT youth from leaving the Catholic Church? 48:37 – What is the significance of taking a saint’s name at Confirmation, and how does it relate to the saint? 51:26 – How can Catholics distinguish between teachings of the Magisterium and personal theological opinions?

What does Scripture say about Mary’s perpetual virginity and sinlessness? Is an annulment needed if a spouse dies after a civil divorce? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, we explore these and other challenging questions about Catholic teaching and Scripture. Discover the meaning behind Jesus’ command to “take up your cross,” learn how to recognize mortal sin before receiving Communion, and understand the Church’s view on praying for those who die by suicide. We also discuss key Church Fathers to reference in conversations with Calvinists and explore the importance of forgiveness in light of Matthew 5:21–26. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 07:05 – Where in Scripture can the doctrines of Mary’s perpetual virginity and sinlessness be found or supported? 20:26 – If a person’s spouse dies after a civil divorce, is an annulment still required for the surviving party? 22:24 – When Jesus says, “Take up your cross and follow me,” was this a known expression at the time, or only understood after the Crucifixion? 29:20 – Which Church Fathers are most effective to reference in discussions with Calvinists? 42:24 – Is it worthwhile to pray for someone who died by suicide? 47:11 – How can someone know they are free of mortal sin before receiving Holy Communion? 50:16 – What does the Catholic Church teach about the need to forgive as emphasized in Matthew 5:21–26?

What do the sermons in Acts reveal about the early Church’s belief in the Resurrection? Where was Tabitha before her resurrection in Acts 9:40? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, we explore deep theological questions about Christ’s human nature during His death, how to explain Original Sin to students, and what good—if any—can come from eternal suffering in Hell. We also address how to explain the mystery of the Trinity to someone from a Latter-day Saints background. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 04:06 – Do the sermons in the Book of Acts offer early references to the Resurrection similar to the creedal formulations in Corinthians? 12:26 – In Acts 9:40, where was Tabitha before her resurrection? Could it have been Limbo, Purgatory, or another state? 17:12 – During the time Christ was dead, was His human nature still united to the Second Person of the Trinity? If so, how is that explained? 22:59 – What are effective ways to explain Original Sin to students who struggle to understand the concept? 37:12 – If God allows suffering to bring about some good, what possible good can come from the eternal suffering of souls in Hell? 45:55 – How can the doctrine of the Trinity be explained to someone from the Latter-day Saints tradition who wants to understand it?

Can Catholics attend 12-step recovery programs? Are we less spiritually zealous today than the early Church? What’s the proper posture for laity during the Our Father at Mass? And how do ancient texts like the Book of Jubilees align with Catholic tradition on Adam’s burial? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, we dive into these thoughtful questions from listeners across the country. Discover what the Church teaches about appropriate behavior during Mass, explore how Catholic spirituality has changed over time, and examine intriguing connections between biblical traditions and apocryphal writings. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 07:08 – Is it appropriate for a Catholic to attend 12-step recovery programs? 20:57 – Compared to the early Church and the saints, have modern Catholics lost some of their spiritual fervor? 29:07 – Are laypeople supposed to raise their hands during the Our Father at Mass? Is there a resource that explains what’s appropriate for the laity? 46:30 – The Book of Jubilees says Adam was buried next to his son and had a proper funeral. How does this relate to the tradition that Adam’s skull is buried under Calvary?

In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, listeners ask deep and thought-provoking questions about Scripture, the sacraments, and God’s love. Why is exact language so essential when administering the sacraments? How can we dispose ourselves to receive God’s love rather than trying to earn it? We also explore the powerful Old Testament moment when Jacob wrestles with the angel—what does it mean, and why is it significant? Join us for a rich conversation that blends theology, spiritual insight, and biblical understanding, helping Catholics and seekers alike grow in knowledge and faith. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 17:21 – Why is precise language necessary in the valid and effective administration of the sacraments? 29:39 – How can a person open themselves to receiving God’s love rather than trying to earn it? 50:20 – What is the theological and spiritual significance of Jacob wrestling with the angel in Scripture?

In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, Cy Kellett is joined by Catholic apologist Joe Heschmeyer and Catholic Answers President Chris Check to unpack what’s fueling a renewed interest in Catholicism today. From cultural instability and gender confusion to the peace and stability found in the sacramental life, they explore why more people—especially young men—are finding their way to the Catholic Church. They discuss the popular Shameless Popery podcast, a surprising CNN episode titled “Catholicism Is So Hot Right Now,” and how truth, tradition, and meaning are attracting a new generation of seekers.